fire science unit III assessment 2 questions and 1 DQ
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FIR 4306, Human Behavior in Fire 1
UNIT III STUDY GUIDE
Older Adults Fire-Related
Behavior
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit III Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Describe demographics of older adults. 2. Describe risk factors for fire in long term, home health, and hospice care
facilities. 3. List and describe issues involving residential fire and the older adult. 4. Discuss how disabilities and mobility impairments may affect behavior. 5. Review data and interpret demographic information useful for fire safety
among older adults. 6. List and describe sensory and cognitive impairment in older adults. 7. Discuss how fatalities and injuries are affected by time of day, month,
and location in a residence.
Unit Lesson Based on research, the number of older adults is steadily increasing. These citizens have contributed much to our society. Additionally, many have invested time, money, and resources into our public safety arena. They expect and deserve the best service we can provide for them. Naturally, as the population ages, the risk of more health related problems or mobility problems may occur. This often presents challenges for older adults to make good decisions and demonstrate appropriate behavior during a fire emergency. In addition, older adults live in residential homes, long-term care facilities, and other occupancies. Each situation may present its own challenging environment. Fire fighters often respond to false alarms at facilities for older adults. These false alarms may inadvertently create inappropriate behavior for the fire fighters and the facility occupants in the event of a real emergency. In long-term care facilities that are multi-storied, older adults with mobility problems may be housed on upper floors. This can be a major challenge in the event of an evacuation. Fire fighters are wise to preplan the possibility of fire in these types of structures. These elderly people can be educated to recognize their limitations. For some older adults who are physically challenged, exiting by way of the stairwell may be a “nightmare.” Firefighters must be aware and acknowledge the residents’ ability to help themselves. Even when evacuation efforts are successful, fire fighters may still have to continue aid by assessing the need for refuge for these victims. Many of them are in need of their medications or other necessities that were left inside their apartment. Other issues that fire fighters have experienced when responding to fires that involved older adults include food left cooking on the stove and an inability to exit the home before becoming overcome by smoke and poisonous gases. Cooking is a common activity for the older adult and gives a sense of self- proficiency. Unfortunately, many may lose focus or even forget about food on the stove. Food burning on the stove can contribute to increased fear and lack of attention, to the proper steps to take for a grease fire. Heating fires are also
Reading Assignment See information below.
Learning Activities (Non-Graded) See information below.
Key Terms 1. Cognitive impairment 2. Disability 3. Long-term care
facilities 4. Mobile impairment 5. Sensory impairment
FIR 4306, Human Behavior in Fire 2
common among older adults and alternative heating is a choice of many older adults. These heating options may include space heaters, electric blankets, and fireplaces. Often the space heater is not maintained and becomes a severe fire hazard. Many older adults live alone and may lack someone to encourage the maintenance or safe placement of the heater. Other behavior issues that older adults face include sensory and cognitive impairments in areas that may include smell, touch, vision, hearing, memory impairments, and depression. Research may indicate that sensory and cognitive impairments in older adults may contribute to many burn-related injuries and deaths. Often, during a rescue attempt, firefighters discover an older adult in their bed. Many are still alive and were not able to get up after inhaling smoke and gases and sustaining burns to their body. Some of these victims die later from the effects of the smoke inhalation and burns. Although family members may constantly inform the older adult of proper fire safety, older adults may often forget the message. This may result in family members feeling the older adult is resistive to their guidance or just being “stubborn.” The time of day, month, and location of the older adult can play a major factor in their behavior. Some older adults may have a routine, while some may not. A routine Monday morning may contribute to carefulness in the kitchen, whereas an odd meal cooked for a visiting guest on a “non-cooking” day may create confusion or carelessness. At certain times of the month, many older adults receive their fixed income “allotment.” During a few days prior, “penny pinching” may be at its maximum. This can affect decisions related to fire safety. For example, those regions in the U.S. that have non-consistent climate changes influence the behavior of the older adults. The need for a quick access to heat may result in the lack of proper heating safety for some. With all of the issues addressed above, it is important to remember that some older adults are well prepared for a fire emergency. In fact, more so than some citizens who are much younger. Many older adults attend community functions and seminars to teach them self-defense, fire safety, etc. It is important to acknowledge their strengths and limitations and to remember that as everyone ages, limitations increase. Memory and physical ability may affect the behavior of the older adults, but the responsive behavior of family, fire fighters, and care givers can make a big difference in emergency situations.
Reading Assignment United States Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center. (2006). Fire and
the older adult. Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/fa-300.pdf
Learning Activities (Non-Graded) Use an Internet search engine to find a free blog site. Create a new blog where you will write about how this course, Human Behavior in Fire, applies specifically to you. So far you have learned some fundamentals about psychology and sociology and the roles they play in human behavior. You have also looked at behavior in older adults. In your blog, discuss how these topics affect you personally or professionally. Do you see the need to study human behavior in fire? If not, what can you get out of this course that can help you in your future?
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Companies and organizations look for individuals who reach out to the community, and a blog may be one way to get people interested in your experience or expertise. By stretching yourself into a media source you may not have used before you may discover a way to improve the department you work for in ways that you have not imagined. If you choose, email your instructor the link to your blog. Be open to the feedback you receive from your professor and others reading your blog. Non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions contact your instructor for further guidance and information.